Surfing is such a workout!

WOW surfing is hard work! My arms are still aching! 

Playa Grande attracts surfers form all over and it's easy to see why, I had to give it a go! 

I rented a board that was twice the size of me but apparantley it was the best for a beginner! I didn't manage to stand up but I was thrown around enough by the waves I didn't realise how forceful they could be! I'm definitely renting another board at the next beach I go to, so determined to stand up even if it is for a few seconds! 

Don't get me wrong, Tamarindo beach was very nice and I met some great people at the hostel. We spent a few days or evenings together, getting food, going to the beach, it was so nice to meet like minded people from all over the world. After 4 nights, I walked the short hike to where the river separates two beautiful but very different beaches.

Pic: Tamarindo to my left and Playa Grande to my right! 

 

When I got to the river (above pic) I thought it was so narrow, surely I could cross that? Turns out the boat was needed as the driver pointed out two crocodiles, and I could just see their head floating around! Definitely a good call on taking the boat!

 

After a long, somewhat difficult walk along Playa grande beach, luckily I had been given directions from friends at Tamarindo, I was greeted to an open friendly hostel where Pura vida, (meaning pure life, live life to the full) was definitely the way of life here! 

 

Mi Casa hostel was home for longer than expected, as Playa Grande was awesome! The were no tourists, no offers of drugs(!) just people relaxing, having fun and the sunset was beautfiul! 

I ate breakfast twice at a nice bar/restaurant which had the world flags on show including the Welsh one, which made me smile!  

I spent my days snorkeling, cycling around the island which was great excercise but pretty hard in the heat!

Below: Me looking attractive in my surfing gear! 

The most memorable night was when a group of volunteers stayed the night, a mix of people from Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Panama, and we all sat around a table playing Drunk jenga, where the one who broke the tower had to take shots of barcadi, rum and whiskey!   

And now after 2 days and 4 bus journeys later I have arrived at La Fortuna! And I have to say, I already miss the beach...

Day 16: Oh What a week!

Wow, I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks! Though I will probably be saying this at week 3,4,5...

Having spent a week at a small rather secluded town called Hojancha, I took a bus to enjoy life at the beach a little further North this time, called Playa Tamarindo! It's a nice place, the beach stretches for a while as is divided by rocks which is unlike a beach I have seen here yet, but it's still a great one. Unlike other places I have been this one is very tourist-y! Lots of souvenir shops with overpriced shorts and tacky gifts, and the same people pass you on the beach trying to sell you necklaces and these small plastic birds which make an awful high pitched sound! And I have been asked if I want drugs more times than I care to remember! 

Right now, I'm at Playa Grande, but more of that in my next post...

Above : Tamarindo beach 

Below: Cocktail bar in Tamarindo that made me chuckle :) 

So, on my second week I began volunteering with tropical adventures. 

I worked at the botanical gardens every morning and then spent some of the afternoon in a summer school with around 9 children.

It was fun and I feel like I have helped out as there were activities to think of and plan but it wasn't really organised, and most days I finished at 2! 

Hojancha is such a small town there isn't much to do, so by Wednesday evening I wa craving to be by the beach! 

However, I did stay with a lovely host family, a mother and son who were so friendly and welcoming, I felt so safe living with them. I think living with a family  helps you understand the way of life here a lot better than staying in a hostel would. 

Front doors were left open, neighbours and friends were always coming and going and everyone knew everyone in this town. The children walked to and from school and their homes feeling happy that they would be safe. 

It's such a different world here, everyone is relaxed and laid back, and everyone says hello to you. Might try that in london sometime.. 

Below: a dancing horse that passed by my host family house for the week, just like the horse I had seen at the Festival! 

Last night was crazy!

Ok, so having just posted a blog two days ago, I hadn't planned on writing another entry for a while but last night I went to this crazy street party in Santa Cruz and I have to write about it before I forget it! (and with my memory that is likely to happen very soon!)

So I arrived in a little town called Hojancha yesterday afternoon to meet my fellow volunteers from Tropical adventures.
I was taken straight to my host family house where I was greeted warmly by a woman and her son. They are lovely people.  The house is very home-y and comfortable, and by far better than any hostel I have stayed in. We were cooked food and then around 10 of us took around a 44 min taxi ride into Santa Cruz, North of this small town.

Turns out we were on our way to a Santa Cruz fiesta! One of the biggest in the country, and I could see why!

Above: the crowds watching the live bands 

We arrived to the sound of pink fireworks exploding in the sky, and the sound of the crowds already getting in the part mood. The streets were packed with people everywhere, even small children and some in prams who looked tired or were sprays sleeping!
We passed a big bullfighting arena and I caught a glimpse of the action, but didn't want to watch it for long, I don't think it's something I would enjoy.

Beautiful white horses were being paraded around and some were even dancing to the loud music coming from the many bars that were blasting spanish songs from their giant speakers!

As the end of the night neared, I dared to try some of the street food on offer and I wasn't disappointed. I tried a fried pastry bread full of meat and veg inside, not something I would normally choose, but I needed something to soak up the rum!

We travelled back to Hojancha in silence, everybody too tired and longing for their beds! 

After a morning coffee and a great breakfast of scrambledeggs and rice, I am already feeling better! 

Roll on this week! :) 

 

Waking up at 5am....

Day 4:

So, after almost a whole day on planes and waiting in airports I finally arrived late to San Jose late on Monday night.
Walking out of the airport I was bombarded with taxi drivers asking me where I was going and did I what to go with them!? No thank you! I was just looking for my shuttle, which was a good 20 mins wait!
By this point I had no energy in my to complain as I just wanted to sleep so I guess I'm doing it now!

I spent 2 days at Costa Rica backpackers hostel, which was full of people from all over the world! Lots of hammocks and space to relax, and the guys at the desk were so friendly and helpful.
Would recommend, but not if you want quiet nights, the noise of the train will wake you at 5am (!) every morning if you are a light sleeper and then a neighbourhood dog will also make his own noise I ventured out a few times in search of good food and of course, I got lost. Twice. I was still so tired, and not quite on Costa Rica time yet, but now its been 4 days, I think Im ok...

Below: Costa Rica backpackers





I didnt love San Jose, it was a very busy city with not much to see or do, so I took a 5 hours bus journey to the South West coast to Samara and having only spent 1 night here, I already prefer it to the city. Hitting the beach today and seeing what else this place has to offer, but first things first: Coffee.

10 days to go! :)

Now we are officially in 2014, it is less than 10 days until Im heading back to the beautiful South!

This time I'm heading to central America, to see the sights of Costa Rica and Panama!

Last January i travelled to Ecuador and spent a month volunteering at an animal refuge centre, and it was such a great experience I have decided to go travel again, and see more of South/central America's beautiful countries!

This time I will be travelling around a lot more, from the centre of Costa Rica to both east and west coast before taking a loooong bus ride to Panama and then a water taxi to the island of Bocas del Toro!

So I have been polishing my Spanish language skills, reading up on the essential travel tips, browsing online and instagram for the best and most surreal beaches, and have already made a check list of the essentials!

And I have decided to write a travel blog, as i regret not writing one in Ecuador, and loved updating my Berlin blog! So here we go! I cannot wait!



Below: One of Costa Rica's many beautiful beaches!